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Those Who Are Forgiven Must Love

“Her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much. But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little.” Luke 7:47

Jesus was dining at a Pharisee’s house when a sinful woman came and washed His feet with her tears, dried them with her hair, and then anointed them with fragrant oil. The Pharisee was upset. If Jesus were truly a prophet, then surely He would know the woman’s character and forbid her to touch Him. Why become ceremonially unclean for the likes of her? Knowing the character of both the woman and the Pharisee, Jesus asked His host a question.

"There was a certain creditor who had two debtors. One owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. And when they had nothing with which to repay, he freely forgave them both. Tell Me, therefore, which of them will love him more?” (Luke 7:41–42)

When the Pharisee answered, “I suppose the one whom he forgave more.” Jesus replied, “You have rightly judged” (Luke 7:43). The woman loved Jesus more than the Pharisee because she was more aware of her own sinfulness and therefore more appreciative of Jesus’ forgiveness.

Do we realize how much we have been forgiven? If our sins have been forgiven in Christ, then we have been forgiven an infinite debt. The more we comprehend it, the more we will love Christ and our brothers and sisters in Christ. If we believe our sin is small—and God’s grace to us is small—then our love for God and others will be equally small.

The grace you have received in Jesus Christ transforms your relationships—with Christ, with all people, and especially with your fellow Christians. Remember the forgiveness you have received. Only in the light of that forgiveness can you truly love your brothers and sisters the way Christ asks.